The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-10-12
OUR POLITICAL AND SOCIAL IN
STITUTEONS.

IN me October number of the North
American Review, paper appears on Some
defects in our u, 1litical and social institu-
tions,' from the PEI OF James Cardinal
Gibbons. Mr.. Gibbons vlsWs our political
and social institutions from the standpoint
of pessimist, and he occupies position
where he observes all that is objection
proval. Mr.. Gibbons is, we think, singu-
larly unfortunate in having a seriously
defective mental vision. His minds eye
is out of order. 1t is microscopic. To his
vision an imperfection not larger than a
gnat, is given the huge dimensions of a
giraffe. AS for instance, Mormonism is
classed among the great evils which
threaten the stability of American instltu-
tions. II the population of the United
States is GO. 600. 600, then the Mormon pop
ulation is about three.tenths oil per cent
of the whole body of the people. A num-
Der so small as not to excite alarm except
in the minds of pessimists or persons con.
stitutionally timid- Again Mr.. Gibbons
sees in the divorce laws OF the country
cause for alarm; but in this, as in Mormon
ism, the writer's fears are out of all prudent
proportion to the evil of divorce, We
numerous cases of divorce, nor
co We admit that the gospel cause for sepa-
ration is the only one for which decree
shoul6 be granted. We are Of the opinion
that many marrisges are quite as repre-
hensible as divorce, probably in the eye of
Omnipotence far more Objectionable, and
when man and wife find that they cannot
live together peaceably, the right thing to
do Is obtain legal separation, and try it
sgain-and, If necessary. a second or third
time. By such proceedings social affairs
msy be somewhat disturbed, but there
would be far more unpleasant commotion
and excitement if the CALLING bonds OF
matrlmony could not be legally sundered.
Mr.. James Cardinal Gibbons is of the
opinion that our system Of education il
both imperfect and vicious. Imperfect II
doubtless is 1t is very difficult thing to
reach perfection in this world. We simply
Ego on to perfection and we are clearly
OF the opinion that the common school
system of education in the United States
il marching steadily toward perfection
and Mr.. Gibbons by inveighing against
our educational system, as vicious, writes
himtelf down as a first. class croaker and
kicker" He says our system of education
<'undermines the religion of our youth
That depends upon what religion is. If il
means charity-good works-feeding the
hungry, clothing the naked, shelterine
the homeless, then Mr.. Gibbons chsrgl
hasEthe ring of fanatical slander-foolist
rant. Again Mr.. Gibbons rails about tn.
desecration OF the Sabbath-but he is care
full not to tell what he calls dissertation
Some poor. feeble minded fanatics, vision
airy zeslots, irrational, blind and mad hi
COTS, esteem it dissertation to issue Sun
day paper; or travel on Sunday; or go II
the woods and into the fields and commun,
with nature and natures God think 1t is
Elm for q man to kiss his wife,-or do any
thing else not laid down by the church q
proper for the Sabbath. As a matter o
course, such vsgaristS have little influence
in Etbis world. and when their influence Il
felt, SO much the worse for the world.
Again. Mr.. James Cardinal GibbonI
thinks that the frequent "cry of election
frauds' means decay and death to our in
stitutions. The writer is quite incapable
of sppreciating the fact that the frequen
cry.of election frauds, means that the peopl'